Tropical Storm Alberto forms off Carolina coast

Hurricane season doesn't start for nearly two weeks, but the first tropical storm of 2012 is here.

Tropical Storm Alberto was centered about 110 miles east of Charleston, S.C., on Saturday night with sustained winds of 50 mph that could rise to 60 mph, forecasters said.

The storm is drifting southwest at 3 mph but is predicted to turn northeast in the next couple of days and fizzle out in the North Atlantic.

Alberto's main effect in Central Florida will be an increased chance of rip currents in Volusia and Brevard counties, forecasters said. Other than that, "We don't anticipate any direct impact," said Scott Kelly, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.

The forecast in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties calls for a 20 percent chance of rain Sunday with temperatures in the high 80s. Highs in the low 80s are predicted for coastal Volusia and Brevard counties.

"It looks like pretty pleasant weather," Kelly said.

Senior hurricane specialist Michael Brennan said Alberto was created out of an area of low pressure. Although it sits over the relatively warm waters of the Gulf Stream, is expected to run into dry air and die within four days, he said.

"We're keeping an eye on it," said Orange County spokeswoman Laureen Martinez.

Orange County is hosting a free Hurricane Expo June 1-2 at Orlando Fashion Square mall.

Experts say early tropical storms don't mean the hurricane season will bustle. Some forecasters predict this season will be average or below average. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration releases its seasonal outlook on Thursday.

Starting Monday, the state Division of Emergency Management is holding its annual statewide hurricane exercise, in which fictional Hurricane Gispert will come ashore in the Tampa Bay area. The purpose is to give government agencies some practice before a real storm strikes.